Saudi Arabia sets sights on AI development

Saudi Arabia sets sights on AI development

RIYADH--Saudi Arabia announced a new artificial intelligence drive Wednesday aimed at making it a global leader in the cutting edge industry.

The oil-rich kingdom officially put forward its National Strategy for Data & AI (NSDAI) at the Global AI Summit in Riyadh, announcing it will seek $20 billion in local and foreign investment for the field by 2030.

Speaking at the opening of the kingdom's Global AI Summit, the head of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) said Riyadh would announce several AI partnerships.

“Saudi Arabia will implement a multi-phase, multi-faceted plan that includes skills, policy and regulation, investment, research and innovation, and ecosystem development,” the statement said.

 

SDAIA President Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamid said the country will accelerate its AI development through education and training initiatives, a new “world-class regulatory